I always have the same dream.

I am walking along an old bridge, cloaked in mist. I cannot turn around, I cannot look up, and I cannot see anything but the cobblestones at my feet. Yet with every step I take I know that they are coming, and the sheer thought of their presence above terrifies me to no end.

Vultures.

The buzzing of their hearts, the shrieking of their cries, the violent explosions that light the mist aflame...I remember these so well, but I do not know why. I am not of land, so why do I fear that which haunts the skies? Only when I reach the end of the bridge do I remember the truth, and it is not one I wish to hear.

For my life was ended by the vultures of the night.

...

"Yes, twelve!"

U-556 couldn't believe her luck as she moved her battleship across the board, landing straight on GO. The battle for first place had been dead even, but with this move U-556 was confident that she had finally pulled ahead.

U-557 rolled her eyes. "Congratulations. That was a good roll."

"Don't worry, 557~" U-556 smiled, handing her sister the dice. "You can't keep getting twos and threes forever!"

U-557 raised an eyebrow, and shook the dice before dropping them on the board, both die rolling briefly before landing on the same number: One, moving U-557's penguin straight onto U-556's most expensive property.

U-557 stared at U-556. U-556 looked away.

"My turn!" U-81 swept the dice up into her hands and began to shake. "It's okay, 557; one solid throw and I'll make 556 regret she was ever BUILT!"

U-81 flung the die onto the board, and they soared through the air before falling beneath the table. "Shit, where did they go…." U-81 muttered, crouching underneath the table. "Oh, this one is a five! Heh, now all I need is a-"

"Three." U-47 said, holding the other die. "One space short of GO."

U-81 cried out in anguish as U-556 jumped to her feet, triumphant. "I win!"

U-557 smiled as U-556 cheered, while U-81 fell to her knees in defeat. U-47 patted U-81 on the back, completely unfazed that she had somehow gotten last over U-557. U-557 got up to calm U-556 down, but it was at that moment that U-101 burst into the game room, struggling for breath.

"Everyone, the next Type XXI is finally ready to be commissioned!"

The entire room froze, staring at U-101 in disbelief. U-47 sighed, clearing her throat.

"101, why are you flushed? Were you making out with your trombone aga-"

"Oh, shut up!" U-101 shouted as the room giggled. "The ceremony is in fifteen minutes, we gotta go!"

...

U-2501 paced back and forth on the platform, biting her lip.

What do I do? If the cube is even the slightest bit cracked, she'll be crippled. What if the tests weren't thorough enough, and we missed something important? What if it starts raining, and lightning strikes the cube? Ahh, that does it! I'm rescheduling the-

"Yo, 2501!"

U-2501 looked up, and saw U-2511 leap onto the stage. "We all set?"

"You tell me." U-2501 groaned, rubbing her temples. "I've been trying to get everything just right for the past two weeks, and now that everything's ready…"

U-2511 laughed. "I see." U-2511 walked over to U-2501, and put a hand on her shoulder. "It'll be okay, 2501; you'll do great."

"But-"

"Besides," U-2511 grinned, slapping U-2501 on the back. "If anything goes wrong, I've got your back; I'll whip her into tip top shape in no time. We're in this together, okay?"

U-2501 hesitated, then sighed. "Alright."

"Great." U-2511 picked up the mic, and handed it to U-2501. "Knock em' dead, sis."

U-2501 turned toward the audience, and gasped. The entire construction bay was packed like sardines with U-boats, all of them watching her. She closed her eyes, and took a deep breath.

"Good evening, everyone." U-2501 said, smiling sheepishly. "I apologize for the delay. Before we get started, I would like to say a few words."

U-2501 looked down at the crowd, and among them U-2511 gave her a big thumbs up.

"Tonight, we welcome yet another U-boat into our fleet. However, it is more than that. While we may have started out as simple weapons, we have since become something greater. We have become friends, rivals, and mutuals; diverse, united, and gleeful. It is through our hard work and devotion to both Ironblood and each other that we have come so far, and as we welcome our newest member, all I ask is that you treat her with the same honor and passion that has taken us beyond our origins, and truly established us as one spectacular whole."

The congregation clapped, and U-2501 breathed a sigh of relief. "Now, let's begin."

U-2501 pulled a small metal plate out of her pocket, and signaled to a pair of manjuu. The curtain rose to reveal a Type XXI submarine, complete save for one tiny opening on its hull. U-2501 walked up to the sub, lifted up the plate, and slid it into the opening.

Come home, U-3003.

As soon as the plate locked in, a bright aura filled the nighttime sky, and U-2501 watched the Wisdom Cube she had chosen rose from the pedestal, crackling with energy as it began to rotate. It whirred into the air, a low hum rising in pitch as the cube began to accelerate. Faster and the faster the cube went, crackling harder and whirring greater as it became a blinding ball of heat. It continued to spin, faster and faster and brighter and louder until-

Silence. Absolute silence.

Moments later, the crowd cautiously lowered their guard as the glare began to dim, what remained of the cube now a twinkling cloud of cyan sparks. Atop the cloud, an olive-skinned woman with seafoam colored hair laid fast asleep, and the cloud gently lowered her into the center of the assembly before breaking apart, the remaining sparks floating off in the wind.

Those around U-3003 stared at her incredulously until a shout rose up in the distance, and a path was cleared as U-2501 & U-2511 rushed to U-3003's side. U-2501 cradled U-3003 in her arms, feeling her neck. "She's breathing." U-2501 said, leaning back. "She's breathing."

"Step back, step back!" U-2511 ordered, motioning the crowd. "Give her some space!"

Hearing the commotion, U-3003 stirred and opened her eyes, drowsily taking in the starry sky above.

"...stars?"

The audience cheered, much to U-3003's shock. All at once she realized she was surrounded by a horde of girls of all shapes and sizes—including the one holding her—and she screamed. "What the hell?!" U-3003 managed, struggling out of U-2501's arms and looking around her in a frenzy. "Where am I, what happened, who are-" U-3003 froze, placing a hand to her neck. "I...vocal cords?"

Slowly, U-3003 looked at herself, then to the crowd, and then back at herself. She flexed her right hand, staring at it thoughtfully before turning to U-2501.

"You...who are you?"

U-2501 stepped forward, twiddling her hair. "I-I'm your sister. My name is U-2501."

"2501..." U-3003 murmured. "I remember that designation...first of the Type XXI class Elektroboote to serve under the Kriegsmarine, right?"

U-2501 nodded, and U-3003 sighed. "Well, that explains a lot." U-3003 looked down, and frowned. "Now, can you help me up? I...I cannot use these." U-3003 motioned at her legs, and U-2501 rushed to U-3003's side to help her up.

"Cold..." U-3003 muttered, her toes feeling the rough concrete beneath her. "This is new...I feel numb."

At this point, U-2501 realized that U-3003 was naked, and she quickly took off her jacket before wrapping it around U-3003, scolding at U-2511 as she laughed.

"I'm sorry, I rushed down here in a hurry." U-2501 apologized, pointing back at the platform. "We didn't expect you to land over here."

"It...it is fine." U-3003 managed, though everyone could hear her teeth chattering. "I am getting used to it. Now, can someone please explain why I am...like this?"

...

Normally all commissioning ceremonies began this way, but in U-3003's case the celebration started off slower than usual. U-3003 was whisked through the crowd by her sisters, dressed, and taken to the platform where U-2501 told her to stay while she and U-2511 got the party started. She watched as they began setting up all sorts of things, most of which she had never seen before yet somehow knew in the back of her mind.

"Chocolate cake...presents...bouncy castle..." U-3003 said, holding her throat as she pronounced each syllable. It was surreal; never before had U-3003 imagined that one day she would become human. Everything about it, from the casual aura given off by her fellow subs to the cool air on her fingertips and the warmth of her body...it was overwhelming.

"3003!" A small voice called. U-3003 turned around—rather, tried to turn around—towards the source and winced, falling on her side.

"Ahh, I'm sorry!" A small girl climbed onto the platform, rushing to U-3003 to help her sit up. "I forgot that you're still getting used to your body."

U-3003 looked over the girl. She was bright eyed, with light blue hair and a chalk white dress. Another girl had climbed up with her, one that looked like she could fall asleep at any moment.

"It is fine, do not worry. What is your name?"

"556!" U-556 replied. "Type VIIC U-boat, and Lord Bismarck's loyal protector! This here is my sister, 557!"

"Good evening." U-557, resting down on the platform. "Happy...Commissioning Day."

If U-3003 had been confused before, she was completely bewildered now. "Commissioning day? You mean that I have been reactivated?"

"Kind of." U-556 said, looking out at the crowd. "It's pretty complicated, but that's what my sister and I are here for. Tonight, we'll be your guides on all things Azur Lane!"

"Azur La-" U-3003 began, then shook her head. "Nevermind, I understand. Can you please...catch me up to speed? This is-"

"-a lot to take in?" U-556 finished. "It can be, especially since you're not 'yourself' anymore." U-556 took a hold of U-3003's hand, and guided it behind them towards the Type XXI submarine resting in the dock. "Do you recognize that sub?"

U-3003 didn't need to look for long to realize what...no, who it was, and a chill ran down her spine. "That...is me?"

"Yep! Well, mostly; Manjuu are very thorough in their work, so you're probably way better built than you were in your old life."

U-3003 gazed at the submarine. Somewhere deep inside her brain she knew it was her, even without a closer look.

"I see. So...now I am human, right?"

"Well...yes and no." U-556 answered, and U-557 groaned. "Yes because you have a human body now, and no because you're also the submarine at the same time. It's kind of like...you got a heart transplant, but now your old heart is in a new body."

U-3003 raised an eyebrow, and U-557 raised her hand.

"It has to do with souls." She explained. "Your soul isn't in your old body anymore, it's in your human body. However, you still have a connection with your old body; you still inhabit both, but the human body is the 'default' form you have more freedom in."

U-3003 thought it over. "So, what you are telling me is..." U-3003's face paled. "I have possessed some random human!?"

"Where'd you get that from?!"

U-556 sighed, sitting down. "This is a lot harder than I thought...47 made it sound so simple."

U-3003 glanced back at her. "A friend of yours?"

"Yeah." U-556 replied. "We Ironblood subs are a noisy bunch and there sure are loads of us, but we like to stick together. That's why we're holding you this party, to celebrate you joining us."

U-3003 frowned, and looked over the crowd. The party was in full swing; some girls were happily jumping on the bouncy castle, others were stuffing themselves with an assortment of snacks and desserts, and even more were playing...what was that spinning bottle for?

It does not matter, she realized. There is no way I can learn all of this in one night. But if these two are trying to help me...

"U-556, what would you like to do?"

U-556 tilted her head, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"This party." U-3003 said, raising a shaky arm over the scene. "Where would you like to go?"

U-556 put a hand to her chin, thinking. "Good question..."

"She loves to dance." U-557 said, half-asleep. "Dances, dances all over...all the time. Partied all night long...at my ceremony...crashed for a week after."

"557!" U-556 pouted, "I told you not to talk about that! It's embarrassing..."

"Rain dance rain dance, la la la..."

"Quit it!"

U-3003 watched them go, turning her gaze over to where she had last seen her own sister. U-2501 was in the middle of a group of subs, a clipboard in her hand as she seemed to be talking with a slim blonde girl with gear different from what she had seen so far. She seems busy.

"...U-556, you want to be my guide, correct?"

U-556's ears perked up, and she turned away from U-557 mid-argument. "Of course! It'd be my honor!"

U-3003 nodded. "Let us go, then. We can leave your sister here, it looks like she wants some rest anyway."

U-557 raised a hand in approval, and U-556 pouted again before smiling. "Alright! If it's okay with you, then we can go get some cotton candy first! They make the best swirls..."

U-556 climbed off the platform, and as U-3003 moved to join her she felt a twitch on her lips. She put her fingers on them, and traced the curve.

She was smiling.

...

U-47 finished her third climb of the tower crane that night, wiping her forehead as she set down her backpack.

"All loaded up?" U-48 asked, stargazing.

"We have enough soda to get us through January." U-47 said, glancing down at the scene below. It was the middle of the night, yet the celebration was more lively than ever. "I'm glad I was wrong."

"Oh?" U-48 mused. "That's a first."

"Shut up."

The two sat in silence, relaxing as laughter emanated from below.

"Do you think it'll be okay, 47? Be honest."

U-47 glanced at U-48, but only caught a glimpse of her eyes. U-48 wouldn't admit it, but when she couldn't bear to look at U-47, that was a sign that she was scared beyond belief.

"I don't know." U-47 admitted, her eyes shifting to the moon. "Something doesn't feel right, and I haven't liked the situation as a whole for a while now. But..."

"But?"

"I don't think it's because of 3003." U-47 added. "I don't think it's because of any of us. It's just been bound to happen, regardless of what we do."

U-48 leaned up, looking over the dark blue sea.

"Well...I guess it's time to get serious then, huh?"

...

My name is U-3003.

To tell the truth, I am not sure why I am writing this journal. I am not particularly lonely, and I have no affinity for the past, but even so I write. Maybe I am going mad. I would not mind, so long as it dulls my dreams...

I should probably explain what I am. There are many names for us, but the simplest will suffice: We are shipgirls, weapons of war brought to life by a magic few can comprehend. Specifically, I am a Type XXI submarine of the Kriegsmarine, and my purpose is to serve it to the best of my ability. However, this is where the similarities from my dreams end. In this world I have a name, but a voice to go with it. I have legs, but I choose where I go. I have eyes and ears, a mouth and a nose...In this world I have free will, and so do the others. I recognize some of them, but so many more I have never known...

I am not sure what this world has in store for me or why I have been brought to it, but seeing myself has made me realize something: I have been given an opportunity. What that opportunity is, I am not sure, but know this: I am U-3003, and I will serve the Kriegsmarine to the very end.

The vultures will not feast tonight.

This is a new story I'm writing focusing around a Type XXI submarine named U-3003. The goal of this fanfiction is to create and develop an OC (U-3003) that feels at home in canon, and comes off as a realistic and flawed character. If at some point you feel like this isn't a fanfiction at all, and that U-3003 & crew actually fit into the main canon of Azur Lane, then I've done my job.

- Shinoda